The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr Emomotimi Agama, has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s capital market for sustainable economic development.
Agama made the appeal while delivering a keynote address at the Emerging Africa Capital Limited Investor Summit and Awards, themed “Deploying and Mobilising Capital and Investment Strategies in a Shifting Global Economy.”
He said recent regulatory reforms introduced by the commission were already achieving desired results, but stressed that a collective approach involving regulators, investors, and market operators was essential to position Nigeria as a leading global investment destination.
The SEC boss highlighted the impact of macroeconomic uncertainties on global markets, noting that while some economies currently attract investors seeking quick returns, countries like Nigeria offer stronger long-term value due to their vast untapped potential.
According to him, Nigeria’s capital market has shown resilience amid economic headwinds, with reforms such as electronic offerings, expansion of alternative investment platforms, deepening of the bond market, and alignment with sustainable finance principles beginning to attract renewed investor interest.
Despite these gains, Agama acknowledged that the market’s full potential remains underutilised, pointing out that market capitalisation relative to GDP lags behind peer economies, while retail investor participation remains low and the derivatives market is still at an early stage.
He urged corporate issuers to leverage the capital market as a primary source of growth financing by strengthening governance, improving transparency, and enhancing investor relations to attract institutional capital.
Agama also called on institutional investors, including pension fund administrators and insurance firms, to deepen their participation in domestic market instruments and build capacity to invest across asset classes.
He reassured foreign investors of Nigeria’s openness to investment, noting that the SEC is committed to maintaining a transparent, principles-based regulatory framework aligned with global best practices.
The Director-General further emphasised the need for closer collaboration among key regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria, Debt Management Office, National Insurance Commission, and National Pension Commission, to ensure policy coherence and strengthen investor confidence.
He noted that Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, adding that decisions taken within the next few years would determine whether the country fully harnesses emerging opportunities in the evolving global economic landscape.
